Jim Osborne finds it hard to contain his excitement about being elected to the SWAC Hall of Fame. But the former Southern University defensive tackle says going into the Hall is a bittersweet experience. It brings back fond memories of his years at Southern, the endless hours of practice, the lifetime friendships that he formed with his teammates and opposing player and how competing in the SWAC prepared him for a 13-year career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
At the same time he explained it upsets him, due to the current state that SWAC athletes are not receiving the kind of opportunities and recognition that they deserve.
“The role our schools played in giving me an education and being prepared for life is very important,'' says Osborne, Director of Minority Development for National Material L.P. of Chicago. “That was a time when there were no other options. I turn on the TV and I see how things have changed so much. But I don't know if our schools are reaping the benefits.''
Osborne starred at Southern from 1968-71. During that era you shake a tree on any SWAC school's campus and half dozen NFL prospects would fall out.
His teammates included Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount, Pro Bowlers Isiah Robertson, Kenny Ellis and Harold Carmichael, Harold McLinton and Alden Roche. Osborne was a team captain his senior season.
“When Jimmy got down, you had to account for him on every play,'' says Jackson State golf coach Eddie Payton, who was a running back for the Tigers when Osborne played at Southern. “You looked at him, and he had this odd looking body. But he was as quick as a cat and moved like one. He was the real deal.''
Osborne played in the East-West Shrine All-Star game, one of the top venues for pro prospects during that period, and the Coaches All-Star following his senior season.
He made an immediate impact when he joined the Bears, who drafted him in the seventh round. He won the starting left defensive tackle position, and s teammates voted him the recipient of the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award.
“The stuff I went through (four-a-day practices during preseason camp) and being able to play at Southern, when I came to the Bears, when they told me what it was I had to do. I said, 'is that all, only two-a-days?' I played with guys in the NFL who probably couldn't have made the team at Southern.''
